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Scottsdale Swimming pool service SwimRight | Scottsdale Pool Service

What goes into swimming pool service?

Scottsdale, Arizona swimming pool service pros explain pool service aspects 

The swimming pool service contractors from Swimright Pool Service & Repair know that homeowners in Arizona love their swimming pools and who can blame them? When the temperatures in Scottsdale are in the triple digits, there is nothing better than diving into the cooling depths of your own backyard swimming pool, right? If you’ve never owned a swimming pool before you may be wondering what’s involved in pool upkeep and maintenance. Let’s just say, up front, that pools require hours of maintenance and that it is constant — that’s the reason most pool owners work with a pool service company — they want to enjoy the pool without all of the hours of cleaning.

If you decide to work with a swimming pool service contractor so he can do the pool maintenance and you can just have the pool fun, what will he do? Here are a few of the many tasks that a pool contractor performs and these are performed on a weekly basis, if not more:

  1. The pool’s chemical levels will be checked
  2. The water quality will be checked and monitored
  3. He will inspect the pool equipment to assure it’s in good working conditionalgae swimming pool
  4. The pool will get scrubbed, vacuumed and cleaned
  5. He will let you know if there are any issues that need to be addressed and he will help assure that algae doesn’t take hold

A novice pool owner who doesn’t keep up with the maintenance necessary can soon find their pool has taken on a sickening shade of green because of algae bloom. If this happens, you are looking at a major cleaning, expense and a super-chlorination of the water during which time the pool will be rendered useless. You could be looking at your pool being out of commission for more than a week — depending on how long it has gone unaddressed and uncleaned. Even though you may have a pool contractor come once or twice a week, he is doing a major task to keep your pool water free of bacteria and your pool equipment operational.

What should you look for in a pool contractor? Here are a few items:

  1. Look for someone who is highly experienced
  2. Look for a contractor who is easy to communicate with and easy to work with
  3. Look for someone dependable
  4. Look for someone who can fix broken equipment
  5. Look for someone who offers a great service at a great price

It’s difficult to put a price tag on what you will pay for a pool service, but you could be looking at anywhere between $150 to $400 per month, depending on the frequency, the size of your pool and how much upkeep you do between service visits. Don’t rush into signing a contract with the first pool service provider you meet with, interview more than one, compare the quotes they provide and find a contractor who meets your unique needs.

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Scottsdale Swimming pool chemicals Swimming pool service SwimRight | Scottsdale Pool Service

Keep your swimming pool summer ready

SwimRight Pool service contractors, serving Scottsdale, AZ, offer 5 pool ready tips

Summer is in full swing, and Arizona has already experienced some triple digit days. The pool service contractors from SwimRight Pools understand that you and your family are likely in the water as often as possible — day and night. If you’ve been swimming and have had your pool serviced already, you are already in summer-pool-ready mode, but here are a few things to keep in mind throughout the summer.

These are items you will want to discuss with your pool contractor if you’re uncertain whether any of these pool

 Keep your swimming pool summer ready

 

issues are an issue at your home:

  1. Keep the deck clean. A swimming pool deck that isn’t cleaned regularly will be full of dust, dirt and debris and when the monsoon winds and rain kick in all of that debris can be blown into the pool. Make time to clean the deck at least monthly.
  2. Keep the pool cover clean. The cover should ideally be cleaned at least weekly. Take time to hose it off and clean it with a swimming pool safe pool cleaner.
  3. Keep the pool viable. Your pool contractor will inspect your swimming pool for any leaks in the structure or the plumbing when he pays a service visit, but you will want to keep an eye on the pool area for any suspicious puddles around the pool or on the pad or deck.
  4. Keep the pool water clean and the chemicals balanced. If you’re working with a swimming pool service professional your pool is already being maintained and the chemicals balanced, but if you’re doing it on your own, keep in mind that the chemical levels should be checked at least three times a week; ask your pool contractor to be certain. Even if you work with a pool contractor, he will advise that you check the chemical balances between service visits. You will also want to skim off any debris before it falls to the pool floor or gets into the filter. Diligent use of the pool cover will help
  5. Plan to refill the water semi-regularly. While you don’t want or need to drain and refill your swimming pool with any regularity, there will come a time when you will simply want fresh water.

The next time your pool contractor visits, you will want to spend a few minutes talking with him so you understand the “state of your pool.”

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Swimming pool service

What’s behind the walls of your swimming pool?

What is lurking behind the walls of your swimming pool? Nothing too scary, but there is an intricate set of piping and plumbing. The swimming pool contractors at SwimRight Pool Service & Repair understand that the plumbing is something a pool owner hopes to never have to think about but, if there is a leak or a broken pipe then it’s all hands on deck to see what’s behind the walls of your swimming pool.

Unless you’re a trained and experienced plumber, not many pool owners would — or perhaps should — attempt addressing plumbing issues in the pool. If you have been measuring water levels in your pool and suspect that it’s going away more quickly than evaporation or splashing out would suggest, it might be time to start looking for a leak as a cause of the disappearing water level. Keep in mind that evaporation is a true and ongoing concern for Arizona pool owners but there are times you will notice the water going down much more quickly than it should be.

Anyone interested in fixing or installing plumbing traps or drains should know there are little secrets to making life easier.
The first of our secrets include “hand tightening.”  Whether you’re installing a new drain or repairing a sink trap you need to ensure that everything that has been put together is first and foremost tight enough to not cause leaks but not so tight that it could cause problems if you needed to work on it later. Snug is better than too tight.

What’s behind the walls of your swimming pool?

The plumbing is designed to make hand tightening the best for pool plumbing. This just means you need use all your strength in tightening it but simply put the plumbing drain trap and other parts required for the drain assembly, not just together but hold up tightly.

After the plumbing has been installed, your pool contractor will test everything before closing up the walls and sealing the plumbing inside.  Test the drain by running water through the plastic drain pipes and look for any leaks. If any leaks happen, tighten the plumbing and joints a little bit more. Tighten slowly but surely until the leak stops.

Pool plumbing involves fitting shower heads and taps and other sections that run to and from your pool. For most homeowners, the right kind of tools is another secret to easy plumbing. One such tool you’ll need is a pipe wrench. These wrenches can be adjusted to fit whichever pipe dimension you’re working with. Other tools that are included in the must-have list to secrets of great plumbing are screwdriver, washers and some PTFE tape.

If you are a DIYer you can give the plumbing a go but if you doubt your skills it’s best to leave pool plumbing to a pro — after all a pool is a major investment that you want to protect.

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Swimming pool chemicals Swimming pool service

Quick pool cleaning tips for AZ pool owners

Pool maintenance is part and parcel of owning a swimming pool. Pools require ongoing and constant maintenance. We don’t want to talk you out of owning a pool, but if you’re going to DIY maintenance and upkeep you need to know what you’re in for. We have some quick pool cleaning tips for AZ pool owners.

You can do these between service visits from a pool maintenance professional at SwimRight Pool Service & Repair in Scottsdale, Arizona to help keep the pool water cleaner, longer. When having a pool installed, you need to consider the long-term needs to keep it clean and swim-friendly.

Thankfully there are many automated tools you can invest in to keep the water clean of debris and leaves, but a pool requires more than scooping up leaves and cleaning the skimmer basket. It’s for that reason that swimming pool owners hire a “pool guy” to come in and do deep cleaning then all you need to do is come home and enjoy the pool, worry-free.

Quick pool cleaning tips for AZ pool owners

  1. Keep water clean- This is very important so that people who are swimming don’t contract any diseases. If the water isn’t pure, your swimmers can be bothered by burning eyes and noses. Using water filters and pumps, the dirty water is removed and fresh water is infused into the pool. Ensure the correct mix of chlorine and bromine are added to the water to keep it free of germs and bacteria.
  2. Chlorine is necessary to sanitize the water because it neutralizes urine and saliva and other bacteria and organic materials people bring into the water. But if chlorine content in the water leaves a smell and irritates the eyes, the level needs to be adjusted.
  3. A green pool is another issue that can plague a pool owner. Cleaning the sides and bottom of the pool regularly ensures that algae and moss don’t grow in it. Bromine is effective for spas and chlorine is used for swimming pools. Disinfection and sanitization are the two most important methods to keep the pool clean.
  4. Water pump usage- This is essential for circulating the water in the swimming pool. A variable-speed pump is one of the best investments you can make in pool equipment.
  5. Adding Chemicals- try to add chemicals after sunset when everyone has had their fill of swimming for the day. Keeping the water clean and drainage effective will ensure that your pool is clean always and ready for use.

If you want to DIY your pool maintenance, ask us for a pool cleaning 101 lessons or two and you can keep the water clean between service visits.

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Swimming pool service

Reasons To Add A Pool Gazebo

Swimming pool owners in Scottsdale, Arizona from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair know that spending time around a swimming pool in the triple-digit weather in Arizona can be uncomfortable. They give reasons to add a pool gazebo and that is a great way to get out of the sun but stay outdoors and enjoy the weather — no matter how warm it gets.

Adding a pergola or an elegant gazebo poolside adds a level of ambiance to your backyard. The gazebo will enhance the view in your yard and could even increase the resale value of your home.

If the idea of climbing plants in the pool area is appealing, a gazebo is perfect for the climbing plants. You may also be able to nurture climbing vines and greenery as a way to add additional shade to the area.

Gazebos are used as a place to entertain and relax but to be in the midst of it all when it comes to the swimming pool. Gazebos can be constructed in many shapes – round, hexagonal, octagonal or square. They can be constructed in such a way as to create the illusion of seclusion or be used as a privacy “hedge.”

Reasons To Add A Pool Gazebo

  1. The gazebo can have a wooden floor or one paved with decorative tilers. The roof is typically not much higher than seven feet. They truly are beautiful additions to any backyard decor.
  2. Adding a gazebo to your yard, whether you boast a large backyard area or a small one, can add magnificence and elegance. This structure also offers an additional entertaining area for guests. Your gazebo will be a destination as wonderful as your swimming pool.
  3. If you love plants and the outdoors, then you’ll love a pergola. A pergola is – at its most basic – a series of horizontal timbers or wooden beams, supported by brick or stone pillars. They can also be built of timber over a paved floor or grass. A pergola is more than a self-contained structure and are great for climbing plants. The sides of pergolas are usually open although the climbing greenery can give it the appearance of being an enclosed space.

Add ornamental flower baskets or succulents to add greenery or intrigue to the gazebo. This is the best time of year for this type of project.

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Swimming pool chemicals Swimming pool service

Pool cleaning basics for DIY pool owners

There is so much to know when you’re having a swimming pool constructed. The swimming pool and service professionals from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair also know that Arizona pool owners need to know all about pool cleaning and who to hire for that task. We offer pool cleaning basics for DIY pool owners, but remain available for those pool owners who want to use their free time to swim — not clean!

Keeping the pool water clean and bacteria-free and ensuring the pool equipment is operating as it should, is a lot of work! This information is great even if you have a pool maintenance professional because you will want to take on some light pool maintenance between service visits. It’s always great to be an informed pool owner, too.

Pool cleaning basics for DIY pool owners

What goes into pool cleaning and maintenance?

  1. Raking and skimming off any floating debris before it falls to the bottom of the pool.
  2. Brushing the pool walls and floors should be part of the daily cleaning even if you have to spread the brushing over a couple of days, the pool should be brushed thoroughly and completely at least two times a week.
  3. A vacuuming of the pool after the brushing has been accomplished is part of pool cleaning basics. You can use a manual or an automatic vacuum — ask us to explain the differences.
  4. Testing the water chemistry regularly.

Ask us what pool supplies and equipment you should keep on hand and for a quick lesson on reading and understanding the water chemistry readings so you’re prepared to add the chemicals necessary to bring the chemistry back in balance.

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Scottsdale Swimming pool service

5 Reasons To Get A Concrete Pool

As swimming pool service contractors in Scottsdale, Arizona we clean concrete, fiberglass and vinyl liner pools. Each one has a unique way of cleaning and maintenance and our experienced pool service contractors can keep your pool running and looking like new. When it comes to pool construction materials we know there are 5 reasons to get a concrete pool.

Regardless of the pool construction material you opt for, make sure you plan for how — and who — will keep the pool water clean. There is nothing worse in an Arizona summer than not having access to your backyard pool because it’s algae-ridden. When you’re diligent in cleaning the pool or when you hire a pool maintenance pro you can rest assured that the pool water will remain clean and ready for you to use when you’re ready to jump in.

5 Reasons To Get A Concrete Pool

If you’re new to pool ownership and are still on the fence about what construction material to get, here are a few concrete aka gunite considerations.

  1. Concrete, more than any other pool, will increase your home’s resale value.
  2. They are a great investment for the long term. You get your money’s worth with a concrete pool project.
  3. They enhance the beauty and ambiance of your yard and make you want to be outdoors in an Arizona summer.
  4. They won’t spring a leak.
  5. With concrete, you have more design options than with any other material. If you have a dream for a unique pool shape, concrete should be your go to.

The bottom line: A concrete swimming pool is a unique choice for families seeking a unique flair with their swimming pool design. They do take longer to construct, but the wait is worth it once you know you’ll be spending decades enjoying your custom built swimming pool. Give us a call during the construction process and let us give you an estimate for your pool maintenance needs.

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Swimming pool service

Tips for upgrading your poolside furniture

It may be steaming hot outdoors, but if you’ve spent your week indoors in the air conditioning you may be yearning for poolside time. If you look at the pool area and it’s not as great as you hoped it would be we have tips for upgrading your poolside furniture to make outdoor living as comfortable as your living room.

There is no better place to relax than poolside and if you have a well-furnished swimming pool deck. There are myriad shapes, styles and materials for pool and patio furniture. There are the traditional webbed lounge styles, hammocks and hand-hewn wooden furniture.

Tips for upgrading your poolside furniture

Styles

In the past, you may not have cared if your pool furniture was mismatched but today everyone wants the patio and poolside to be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Sure you can have mismatched styles and fabrics, but even then people are mixing and matching with purpose and with a unifying theme or color.

Furniture in matching and complementary styles and colors whether lounges or chairs or complete outdoor patio sets including outdoor eating areas lure you to spend time outside.

Whether contemporary or modern, a central color theme and furniture style pulls the whole outdoor living area together.

Furniture materials

Choose from wrought iron or cypress and cedar are durable woods that are popular for outdoor furniture. Cedar and cypress can withstand the water swimmers drip onto it when they’re coming out of the pool and are looking for a place to relax and dry off. These woods both age well and can last for decades. If you’re looking for an option that is a little less expensive choose aluminum frame furniture. This furniture can stand up to years of use and weather.

Cushion fabrics

Ask us for insight into what the best fabrics for withstanding weather and prolonged exposure to chlorine-soaked bathing suits. Choose from vinyl, polyester and various cottons made specifically for outdoor use. If you have children you might want to choose a material that is easy to be cleaned in the event drinks are spilled.

Colors

Decide if you want your colors to be bold and bright or soft and muted or a mixture. Do you want a splash of colors reminiscent of a jungle or floral garden? Do you want colors that offer a feeling of zen once you lower yourself into a chair after a swim or when you’re serving meals al fresco.

Don’t make a rush decision because it is a major investment. We also urge you to dress in shorts and sit in furniture before you buy it. If it’s not comfortable during a “trial sit” it won’t be comfortable to a long time relaxation session.

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Swimming pool service

The benefits of automatic pool cleaners

There’s no worry that if we install an automatic swimming pool cleaner for you that we will “lose our jobs.” The swimming pool contractors from SwimRight Pool Service & Repair understand that even if you’re diligent about using a pool cover, you may need to vacuum the pool between visits. The benefits of automatic pool cleaners cannot be denied because they are essentially a “set it and forget it.”

Automatic pool cleaners cut back on the active pool maintenance time you may need to be involved in between our scheduled service visits. Pool cleaning, especially if you live in Arizona, might seem like it’s never-ending and that is what comes from living in an area of the country that boasts such sunny, hot weather for so many months of the year. That doesn’t mean you need to give up your free time to clean the pool, though.

The reason you want to vacuum the pool regularly is to keep dirt and debris that fall into the pool from getting sucked into and clogging the filters. You no longer need to manually wield the standard, manual hand-held pool cleaning nets with mesh buckets when automation makes it easier.

The benefits of automatic pool cleaners

There are pool vacuums that are lower cost but they involve back-bending time spent cleaning – a handheld vacuum is one of those items. Many find that the vacuums don’t remove as much dirt and silt as you’d think, they tend to stir it up more than pick it up. Protect your free time and your back with an auto cleaner:

  1. Pressure-fed cleaners are a bit better but require the installation of a special pump to operate and the expensive in-floor cleaning systems take a great deal of installation work before they are operational. Pressure-fed cleaners are typically installed during pool construction.
  2. A suction cleaner requires less physical labor but are sometimes problematic since they don’t scrub the pool all that well and are rather random with their scanners so they miss many areas of the pool.
  3. The answer to your cleaning prayers is the robotic pool cleaner – think in-home Roomba for the pool! The benefits include ease of installation. They provide a complete pool cleaning including scrubbing and the application of cleaning chemicals. This type of cleaner offers you independence from cleaning.

Ask us about the benefits of an automatic pool cleaner and let’s discuss what type might be best for your family.

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Swimming pool service Uncategorized

Is it safe to swim in cloudy water?

When we pay a service visit we get asked all the time, is it safe to swim in cloudy water? The short answer is, that you shouldn’t. The long answer is you need to give us a call so we can get to the bottom of the cloudy water. Ask any pool owner and he or she will tell you how much work they require to keep clean and keep the water chemistry balanced.

That’s why so many pool owners in Scottsdale, Arizona work with a swimming pool contractor from Swim Right Pool Service & Repair you will be able to spend your free time swimming, not cleaning the swimming pool.

If there comes a time when you go for a swim and notice that the water is cloudy, do you know what to do to get it clear and swimmable? It could take a bit of work and chemical adjustment to make it happen. When you work with us and have us clean and maintain your pool, the chance of cloudy water happening is minimal, but can still occasionally occur.

Cloudy or milky-looking water typically arises because of a disinfection system or water circulation issue.

Is it safe to swim in cloudy water?

Here’s what we will do to address the cloudy water in your pool water

  • Check the levels of disinfectant in the water.
  • Check that the pump is working correctly.
  • Check strainers and the filter to make certain they aren’t clogged.
  • Air bubbles could cause cloudy-looking water. We will check the lid on the strainer to make sure it’s not loose because if it is it could be aerating the water and that could make it look cloudy.
  • Check pool chemical levels and everything will be balanced if they’re not in the correct ratios.

When you work with us, you will have lower levels of stress when it comes to pool maintenance because we take care of it for you! Give us a call today and schedule a time for us to give you an estimate.